​Tim Pawlenty is sounding less like the next leader of the free world and more like a unemployed schlub in his new interview with Time Magazine.

In a curious passage, the former governor of Minnesota is asked why he's running for president, and he says, "I don't know."

Uh, that's not a good start ...Upon further consideration, T-Paw offers up the inspiring notion that playing president is better than the alternative, which is, in Pawlenty's immortal words: "go make some money and play hockey and drink beer."

Tim Pawlenty's retirement plan if the whole President of America thing doesn't pan out

​And when I ask Pawlenty, during a second interview in Des Moines, Iowa,
exactly when he decided he was up to the grand challenge of the
presidency, he answers in less than grandiose terms, explaining how he'd
set up a political-action committee in 2009. I try again, saying I am
curious about when he first imagined himself worthy of the history
books, ready to send soldiers to their deaths and endure the national
stage's harsh toll. "I don't know," he replies. "I wish I had a good
answer for you on that." Pawlenty says it is not an idea that crossed
his mind 15 or 20 years ago but that as he considered life as a
relatively young ex-governor, he felt obliged not to take the easy path
and "go make some money and play hockey and drink beer." He adds that he
almost didn't run at all. "Mary and I talked about this at length, and
many times, and it was a close call," he says, mentioning his wife of 24
years. He adds with a laugh, "It could have gone the other way for all
the reasons you're suggesting."